Jonathan Pace, 31, from Gudja, who owns Tyson Butcher was today granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €4,000.

The case dates back to the night of 9 April. Pace is accused of firing six shots at 53-year-old Vince Muscat, known as il-Kohhu, while he was inside his car just outside his Pietà home.

Three shots missed, but one hit Mr Muscat in his head and neck, another hit his hand and a third grazed him.

Despite his injuries, which were later found to be life-threatening, Mr Muscat managed to drive himself to the Msida police station, where he regularly signed his bail book.

Mr Muscat is himself out on bail after being accused of being involved in the failed hold-up on the HSBC centre in Qormi in July 2010: he was himself charged with attempted murder, after being allegedly involved in a shootout with police.